Arch support



Jan. s, 1924. Y 1,480,079,

H. B. KENNEDY ARCH SUPPORT Filed sept. 27. 1920 s sheets-sheet 1 Jan. 8 1924. 1,480,079

H. B. KNNEDY l ARCH SUPPORT Filed Sept. 2'7 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. B. KENNEDY ARCH SUPPORT Filed sept. 27.

1920 s sheets-sheet 5 Patented dan, d, i924.

HARVEY B. KENNEDY, 0F PITTSBURG, KANSAS.

ARCH SUPPORT.

Application led September 27, 1920. Serial No. 412,898.

To all whom it 'may concern.' l.

Be it known that I, HARVEY B. KENNEDY, a citizen ofthe United States, and resident of Pittsburg, county of Crawford, and State of Kansas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Arch Supports, of which the following is a comp-lete specification.

This invention relates to arch supporting devices, and aims to provide an improved device for lending the proper support to the bony arch and muscles of the feet, for which purpose the device is designed to be worn inside of a shoe in position for exerting the desired bracing and supporting action upon the arch and muscles of the foot.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved form of arch support adapted tobe worn inside of a shoe and having means for adjustably supporting the arch of the foot and also for exerting any bracing action which may `be necessary at either of the sides of the foot, together with means for exerting a corrective action with reference to the metatarsa-l portion of the foot, or at either sidev of the heel portion of the foot. Y

To this end, I have devised an improved device which is made up of an insole member provided with a flexible flap portion between which and the insole member is adapted to bc removably inserted one or more filler elements for adjustin the height of the flap above the insole. n carrying out this feature of the`construction, provision is made for applying the filler elements to the under face of the flap and removably attachingsaid elements to said under face of the flap. Another feature of the improved device is the provision of a suitable form of pad or filler which is adapted to be inserted between the flap and insole member of the device in proper position for corrective action with reference to the metatarsal bones of the foot. p

For the purpose of applying the desired corrective action at either of the sides of the heel lportion of the foot, I have devised an improved insole member having one or more filler or brace elements which are adapted to be removably applied to the under face of said insole at either of the sides thereof, together with means for retaining the said elements in place in either of these relations.

With these general objects in view, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a practical form of construction for embodying the proposed improvement, after y i which the novel features and combinations will be particularly set forth and claimed. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arch supporting device constructed in accordance p with thepresent invent-ion, and showing the same in its proper relation nto the 'innersole of a shoe, represented" in broken lines, the iiap portion of the Vdevice being shown 1n elevated position for disclosing the parts beneath;

Figure 2 is a plan view of thedevice, with the flap let down in normal position;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the insole'member of the device;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal central section, showing the device with varicus filler elements in position;

Figure 5 is a transverse section. taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of theflap member similar to the right hand portion of Figure l1, but showing one of the interiorA trating the same in proper relation to "a,

foot, shown in broken lines in said view;

Figure 10 is an enlarged; detail sectional view of the pad layer structure;

Figure 11 is an inverted plan view of the device with one of the bottom pad or filler elements applied thereto, the broken lines representing the said filler element shifted to the opposite side of the device in inverted position; p

Figure 12 is an inverted plan view of the device showing another pad or filler element applied thereto, and with broken lines representing said element shifted to the opposite side of the device, as in the case of the filler element shown in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is also an-invertd plan view of vthe'device showing the same parts as Figure 12 with the addition of a second pad or filler element applied to the irst one in superposed relation.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, these illustrate the improved device as coinprising an insole member 1i which is adapted to be inserted within the shoe115 in "engagement with the upper or interior tace of the insole 16 of the shoe. The insole 1e is made from ieather or any other 'suitable material having the requisite strength as well as iexibility, and is formed witlrtlie side wings or extension l-tor bracing the opposite sides ot the foot at vthe arched portion thereof. The outside wing or eXtension 1? serves to retain and support the tarsal bones of the arch and also aids in supporting and bracing the outside metatarsal bone, while vthe inner wing or extension 17 lends support principally to the bony arch from the inner side of the foot. Preferably, the bottom tace of the heel end ot the insole 14- is buried away somewhat to provide a suitable heel-seat portion 18 (see Figure 3) oppositethe corresponding portion of the inner sole 16. To the opposite or toi-ward end of the insole member 14, is secured, as by means of stitching 19, the forward edge of a liap member 2O ot any suitable material such as leather or the like, and of a form and size adapted to overlie the insole 14 between its extensions or wings 17, as shown in Figure 2. 'llo the interior or under face oit this fiap member 20 is secured as by means of stitching 21, a sheet of lining material 22 into which is cut transverse slits 23 near each end of said piece of lining 22, for the purpose of providing a pair of oppositely facing pockets 24, as'is clearly illustrated in Figure 1. This pocket structure provides a pair o' retaining pockets tor the opposite ends of a pad or filler element oit' a sizeadapted to be fitted into the relation shown in Figure 6, the opposite ends of said filler 25 being appropriately tapered Jfor facilitating the insertion of said ends into the pockets 24 (see Figures d and 10). rll`he pad or filler 25 is also provided with a facing 26 of suitable material which'may be secured thereto by means ot' stitching 27, as represented in Figures 6 and 7, this facing being also slit as shown at 28 for providing a pair of loops 29 near the tapered end portions of lthe pad 25. rllhis enables another pad or filler element 30 to be vdetachably secured to the outer face of the pad or filler element 25, by engagement of the tapered ends of the "pad 30 Within the loops 29, as will be found illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawings. Obviously, this pad or fillerv element 30 might also be provided with a facing providing loops 29 for the attachment of still another pad or filler iit the conditionsbeing treated required it, as will be readily understood. llt is connascere templated that the pad or iiller element will be made oie any suitable material affording the desired irmness as well as resiliency such as lea.ther,`telt, corlr. or sponge rubber or any combination ot these materials.

lt is also proposed to treat all of these parts in such a manner as to render them noiseless while in use, at which time there is, ot course, more or less play or rubbing of the parts one upon the other.

Beneath the forward end portion of the i'iap 20, is adapted to be positioned a pad orA .tiller element 32 (see Figures 1 and el, which element 32 may be provided in any number and range of sizes for the purpose of treating either one or more ot' the metatarsal bones of the toot; and for retaining the pad 32 in the proper position tor this purpose, as well as permitting the interchange or' pads 82 as required, a suitable pin or peg 34C may be employed for attaching the same to the upper tace of the insole member 14, as illustrated in Figure a.

The insole member 14 is provided with a loop 35 suitably secured to the under face thereof at about midway the length of said insole, and at its rear end the insole 14 is provided with a pair ot' notches 35 cut into the edges of the insole at opposite sides of its heel-seat portion .18 (see Figures 1, 3, and' 11 to 13). This loop andnotch structure is for the purpose of removably attaching any one ot a series ot bottom pads or tiller members 36 to the under face of said insole member, and at either side of its heel portion. As shown in Figure 11, each pad or filler element 36 is of elongated form, hav ing its rear end or portion of approximately the'size and shape of the heel end ot' the insole 14, and provided with a skived portion 37 adapted to be fitted within either of the notches 35 of the insole according as the pad or filler 36 is applied to one side of the insole or the other. The other or forward end of the pad or filler BG is provided with a longitudinal slit 3S, whereby the filler is provided with a finger 39 adapted to extend centrally of the insole 14 and vthrough its loop for either position ot' the pad 3G with reference to the sides ot' the insole 14. ln Figure 11 of the drawing. the pad or Afiller element 36 is illustrated in t'ull lines 37 in engagement with the other notch 35 ot the insole. 'llhus the said pad or filler element may be interchangeably applied in either of the positions illustrated for bracing either side of the foot, and particularly its`v heel portion, according to requirements.

insonni Y rlhese filler elements 36 may be made of any material suitable for the purpose, but in practice, l prefer to make the same of light, strong, metal for firmly yet yieldingly bracing the arch structure at the sides; the thickportion of the device.

In Figure 12 of the drawing, I illustrate one of the filler elements 36 as provided with a transverse loop 40, the broken lines in said figure showing the changed' position of this filler element 36 with its loop, in the same manner as the changes described in Figure 11. rlhis loop element 40 enables a still further filler element 36' to be applied in superposed relation to the first filler element 36, the said element 36 bein also provided with a slit 38 providing a nger 39 for insertion through the loop 40 which is engaged with said finger 39 by being passed through the slit 38 of the filler element 36 as illustrated in Figure 13. rThe broken; lines in Figure 13 illustrate the parts as shifted to the opposite side of the insole member 14, this of course being'accomplished by turning the parts 36 and 36 up-side-down in their changed position in the same manner as already described with reference to Figures 11 and 12, the ller element 36 retaining its superposed position with reference to the other filler element 36; or, if desired, under certain conditions, the filler element 36 may be retained at one side of the insole 1s while the other filler element 36 is shifted to the opposite side of the insole, as will beclearly understood.

A practical and ethcient construction is thus provided for carrying out the desiredobjects of the invention. By so adjusting the parts, and -using such of the filler elel ments or as many of them as maybe required, a correcting action may be exerted at any and all necessary points for the proper support of either the heel, arch or metatarsal portions of the foot. lt is not contemplated, of course, that all of the described filler elements will be likely to be used or required for any one case of treatment, but the improved construction provides practically the widest possible range of adjustment for meeting not only cases of very mild foot y trouble, but also those severe cases requiring un unusual degree of bracing or supporting action to be applied to the broken down or weakened portions of the foot. lt is to be understood that the filler devices 25, 30, 36 and 36 of course, will be made in assorted sizes, as well as dierent thicknesses, for carrying out the adjusting function, and in this connection, it may be remarked that the filler devices 36 and 36 are of course adapted for use, if desired, between the insole and its Hap member 20, but these exercise their proper function more effectively when used in the manner described and illustrated.

Whilell have illustrated and described' what l now regard as the preferred form of embodiment of the proposed improvements, I desire to reserve the right to make such changes or modifications as may fairly fall within the soope of the following claims.

TWhatll claim is:

1. An arch support comprising an insole provided with a flexible Hap lhaving a marginal connection with the insole, and a filler element adapted to be interposed between said flap and insole, said flap being provided with retaining pockets for removable engagement with the ends of said filler element.

2. An arch support comprising an insole provided with a flexible dap havin a marginal connection with the insole,-a ller eleinen-tremovably connected with the under face of said flap, and a second filler element removably attached to the under face of said first element.

3. An arch support comprising an insole provided with a flexible flap having a marginal connection with the insole, a ller eleyment removably connected with the under face of said flap, and a second filler element' adapted to be applied to the under face of said first element, said first element being provided with retaining loops for removable engagement with the ends of said second element.

d. An arch sup ortl comprising an insole provided with a exiible flap having a marginal connection with the insole, a filler element adapted to be interposed between said flap and insole, said Hap being provided with retaining pockets for removable engagement with the ends of said filler element, and a second filler element adapted to be applied tothe under face of said first element, said tirst filler element being provided at points slightly removed from the ends thereof with retaining loops for removable engagement with the ends of said second element.

5. An arch support comprising an insole, and a ller element adapted to be removably applied to the under face of said insole, said insole being provided with a notch and a loop for removable engagement with dinerent portions of said filler element.

6. An arch support comprising an insole, and a filler element adapted to be removably applied to the under face of said insole, and provided with a skived port-ion and a linger portion, said insole being provided with a notch and a loop for removable engagement with said skived and finger portions respectively, of said filler element.

7. An arch support comprising an insole, and a filler element adapted to be removably applied to the under face of said insole, said msole being provided with a pair of notches and with a loop for removable engagement with different portions of said filler element, said ller element being adapted to be engaged interchangeably with said notches for retaining said element in position at either ofthe sides of said insole.

8.-'Atn arch support comprising an insole, and a filler element adapted to be removably applied to the under face4 of said insole and formed with a skived portion'at one end and with a finger portion at its other end, said'insole being provided with a pair of notches at opposite sides of its heel portion and with a loop forward of said notches adapted for removable engagement with said finger portion, said notches being adapted i 9. An arch support comprising an insole,`

a filler element for attachment to the under face of said insole, and provided with a retaining loop, means or removably securing said lelement to the under face of said insole at either of the sides thereof, and a second filler element adapted to be removably applied to the outer face o-said first element in either of the positions thereof and provided with a finger portion for retaining engagement with said loop.

` n Witness whereof ll hereto aiX my signa.- 'ture. v

HARVEY B. yKENNEDY. 

